Indigenous Events & Awards

On November 16, the City of Toronto recognizes Louis Riel Day. Louis Riel is remembered as a great Métis leader, a founder of confederation, a political and spiritual leader and an advocate for minority rights.

We recognize Louis Riel’s contribution to Métis communities and acknowledge the contributions the Métis make to Toronto. The City is committed to supporting Indigenous communities and to working together toward fulfilling Louis Riel’s vision and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people.

Read the Louis Riel Day Proclamation.

View a video message from Mayor John Tory about Louis Riel Day.

On June 3, 2020, the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, proclaimed June as National Indigenous Month. Read the Official Proclamation.

National Indigenous Month is a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate the diversity of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit across Tkaronto and all of Turtle Island.

National Indigenous Month reminds us to consider the unique needs of the Indigenous peoples in all of the work that we do. We must listen to their voices and stories and partner with them to help guide us in our work moving forward.

Throughout the month, all Canadians can learn about the history of the First Peoples and further embrace the opportunity to learn more about their identities. This month is also a time to celebrate the resilience of all Indigenous peoples, their vibrant and distinct cultures, and their beautiful languages. The City of Toronto encourages all residents to take time to educate themselves about Indigenous histories, strengths, and contributions.

Here are some ways to celebrate National Indigenous Month:

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice.
• There are many Indigenous books available at: https://www.cbc.ca/books/35-books-to-read-for-national-indigenous-history-month-1.5585489?gkgkk
• Get inspired by the work of Indigenous visionaries, artists and comedians through imagineNATIVE https://imaginenative.org/june-programming
• The National Film Board of Canada offers a rich online collection of Indigenous-made films through Indigenous Cinema, a website that provides free streaming of more than 200 film titles.
• Learn more about Indigenous organizations, events and research via the Tkaronto Indigenous Portal https://indigenousto.ca/
• Attend virtual events:
  • City Hall Live Indigenous performances Friday June 19 https://www.facebook.com/CityHallLiveOnline/
    • @ 12 p.m. Julian Taylor
    • @ 12:30 p.m. Logan Staats and Layla Black
    • @ 1 p.m. Cris Derkson
  • Indigenous Week at Ryerson University June 22 to 25 https://www.ryerson.ca/indigenous-week
  • High Park Nature Centre virtual National Indigenous Peoples Day event on June 21 –https://highparknaturecentre.com/special-events

• Support Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses.

The City of Toronto has created a virtual ceremony to commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Due to ongoing COVID-19 measures, this year the ceremony will not be held live at Nathan Phillips Square, but instead will be hosted online, to ensure the health and safety of all.

All are welcome and encouraged to view the video ceremony at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday June 21, joining others across Canada in celebrating this important day.  This year’s ceremony will include:

• Prayer from Elder Garry Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, including offering of medicines (smudging)
• Water ceremony and song, followed by a berry teaching, with Kim Wheatley, Anishinaabe Grandmother, Turtle Clan and Traditional Ancestral Knowledge Keeper from Shawanaga First Nation
• Welcome from Chief Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
• Messages from Mayor John Tory and Councillor Mike Layton, member of the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee
• Big Drum Honour Song performed by the Black Bull Moose Singers, a traditional Indigenous singing group of the Anishnawbe and Oneida First Nations

Watch the ceremony below.

About Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day)

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD), formerly National Aboriginal Day. This is a day of cultural significance for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

The City of Toronto has been raising the Indigenous flags since before amalgamation in 1998, in 2017 the City had the Indigenous flags permanently installed on Nathan Phillips Square. In the past we have marked the day around a sacred flame, strawberries, water and the use of sage for cleansing followed by the Mayor’s proclamation and presentation to a representative as well as the involvement of treaty partners.